OPINION
West Ham face the toughest possible test when the Premier League returns this weekend as defending champions and league leaders Manchester City visit the London Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been the standout side so far this season and hold a two-point advantage over Liverpool at the top of the table after 12 games of the season.
West Ham do hold a win over City’s rivals Manchester United this season, but the Sky Blues are another proposition entirely for Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
If they are to come away with anything at all they will need to both put in a flawless performance and have all the luck go their way in the lead-up and during the game.
That luck has now started for the Hammers with the news on Monday that City midfielder Bernardo Silva has sustained an injury on international duty with Portugal.
And, as reported by The Sun, this setback makes the creative midfielder a doubt for this Saturday’s clash at the London Stadium.
While the extent of the damage is yet to be confirmed by City, the likelihood is indeed that Silva will not play a part in this weekend’s meeting.
If he does actually end up recovering in time, is it surely unlikely that Guardiola will risk him from the start, with the 24-year-old becoming a key player for City this season.
This development is obviously a blow for City, and despite how cynical it may be too admit, a huge boost for the Irons.
Obviously City have countless other world-class operators to call upon in his place, but few City players have performed as well as Silva this season.
Losing him means that there is a small glimmer of hope for West Ham as they seek a valuable point or even three against the unbeaten champions.